Promenade of Lights

Began the day at 6am
Out one door and in another
Trading keys for keys
and the engine hums to life

It's an import.
Don't judge me.

From P to R
White lights needed  
to illuminate the ground behind the wheels
(Because the sun is dragging its ass this time of year)
Up the small incline and onto the street
From R to D and we're off

Flow smoothly through the neighborhood
Stuck listening to Massive Attack's 'Mezzanine'
Over and over and over
Because her voice is haunting
It speaks of some underlying ennui
She speaks to something deeper 
Until I reach the main road
And again have to focus
To remember how to drive
Autopilot disengage

The traffic is thick
Pressed tightly
Like we're heading toward some main attraction
The Greatest Show on Earth
Domestics and imports alike
All following the leader
Wherever he may go
All parading toward some big top tent
Where we will take our seats
with our red and white lights ablaze
And music trying to wake us up

The woman next to me is singing
Probably not of something deeper
Probably just some radio friendly rot
About partying,  
or drinking,  
or some other vague escape attempt
as we both parade single file
Wanting to see something spectacular
In the center ring
With lights and music
to cheer us on our way

Remember how to drive
Autopilot disengage
But it does occur to me
If this is so like a circus
Why am I not smiling?